Dynamic skinning of wagering games

ABSTRACT

Dynamic skinning can be propagated between a base game and a portal game. A base game and a portal game can be unidirectionally or bidirectionally “hooked” into each other to utilize perceivable elements of the other. For instance, a first set of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a base game and a second set of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a portal game. These sets of dynamic perceivable elements can change based on various conditions. The base game can rely on the second game (or code or configurations associated with the second game) for dynamic skinning that varies with the portal game while the portal game can rely on the base game (or code or configurations associated with the base game) for dynamic skinning that varies with the base game. Furthermore, a perceivable element can traverse a base game and a portal game.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application that claims prioritybenefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/128,655 which is a NationalStage Application of PCT/US09/64480 filed 13 Nov. 2009, which claimspriority benefit of Provisional U.S. Application No. 61/114,516 filed 14Nov. 2008.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Copyright 2013, WMS Gaming, Inc.

FIELD

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wageringgame systems, and more particularly to dynamically modifying skins ofwagering games.

BACKGROUND

Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines andthe like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for severalyears. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on thelikelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine andthe intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options. Where the available gaming options include anumber of competing wagering game machines and the expectation ofwinning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be thesame), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining andexciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ themost entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancementsavailable because such machines attract frequent play and hence increaseprofitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need forwagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop new gamesand gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a method comprises indicating a plurality ofperceivable elements for a presentation template of a progressive game;modifying the presentation template in accordance with a set of one ormore configurations that at least comprise spatial layout of one or moreof the plurality of perceivable elements; and generating code forinstantiating the presentation template on a set of one or more devicesin accordance with the set of one or more configurations.

In some embodiments, the perceivable elements comprise at one or more ofaudio, video, an image, font, an animation sequence, and text.

In some embodiments, said indicating the plurality of perceivableelements comprises one or more of literal embedding and referentialembedding.

In some embodiments, the set of one or more configurations alsocomprises one or more of a property of one or more of the perceivableelements, a condition for presentation of one or more of the perceivableelements, and timing for presentation of one or more of the perceivableelements.

In some embodiments, the code comprises one or more of executable codeand interpreted code.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing thegenerated code and the presentation template to a controller device thatcontrols the set of one or more devices for the controller device toexecute or interpret the code.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises modifying thepresentation template in accordance with specifications of the set ofone or more devices.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises generating differentversions of the presentation template to accommodate differentspecifications of different ones of the set of one or more devices.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises validating the set ofone or more configurations prior to modifying the presentation template.

In some embodiments, instantiating the presentation template on the setof one or more devices comprises presenting the plurality of perceivableelements in accordance with the set of one or more configurations on theset of one or more devices.

In some embodiments, a progressive game skin editor comprises apresentation template generator operable to process configuration inputand a plurality of indications of perceivable elements to generate apresentation template for dynamic skinning of progressive gameinstances; an instantiation code generator coupled with the presentationtemplate generator, the instantiation code generator operable to examinethe presentation template generated by the presentation templategenerator and to generate code which, when executed by a processor unit,instantiates the presentation template; and a preview unit coupled withthe presentation template generator and the instantiation codegenerator, the preview unit operable to generate a preview instance ofthe presentation template with the instantiation code generated by theinstantiation code generator.

In some embodiments, the preview unit being operable to generate apreview instance of the presentation template comprises the preview unitbeing operable to present the perceivable elements in accordance withthe configuration input and the instantiation code on a device hostingthe progressive game skin editor, wherein the configuration inputcomprises a layout configuration for the perceivable elements.

In some embodiments, the progressive game skin editor further comprisesan interface unit operable to provide a graphical user interface forreceiving the configuration input and the plurality of indications ofperceivable elements, and operable to provide the configuration inputand the plurality of indications of perceivable elements to thepresentation template generator.

In some embodiments, a computer program product comprises instructionsencoded in one or more machine-readable media, wherein the instructions,when executed by a set of one or more processors, cause the set of oneor more processors to perform operations that comprise indicating aplurality of perceivable elements for a presentation template of aprogressive game; modifying the presentation template in accordance witha set of one or more configurations that at least comprise spatiallayout of one or more of the plurality of perceivable elements; andgenerating code for instantiating the presentation template on a set ofone or more devices in accordance with the set of one or moreconfigurations.

In some embodiments, said operation of indicating the plurality ofperceivable elements comprises one or more of literal embedding andreferential embedding.

In some embodiments, the set of one or more configurations alsocomprises one or more of a property of one or more of the perceivableelements, a condition for presentation of one or more of the perceivableelements, and timing for presentation of one or more of the perceivableelements.

In some embodiments, the operations further comprise providing thegenerated code and the presentation template to a controller device thatcontrols the set of one or more devices for the controller device toexecute or interpret the code.

In some embodiments, instantiating the presentation template on the setof one or more devices comprises presenting the plurality of perceivableelements in accordance with the set of one or more configurations on theset of one or more devices.

In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a set of one or moreprocessor units; a network interface; and means for dynamicallymodifying presentation of a progressive wagering game as presented byone or more devices based, at least in part, on a progressive game skinand code for instantiating the progressive game skin.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for at leastone of interpreting the code and executing the code.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for obtaininga set of one or more perceivable elements indicated by the progressivegame skin, wherein the set of one or more perceivable elements comprisesone or more of a video, audio, an animation sequence, an image, font,and text.

In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a set of one or moreprocessor units; a network interface; and a progressive game skin editoroperable to, indicate a plurality of perceivable elements for apresentation template of a progressive game; modify the presentationtemplate in accordance with a set of one or more configurations that atleast comprise spatial layout of one or more of the plurality ofperceivable elements; and generate code for instantiating thepresentation template on a set of one or more devices in accordance withthe set of one or more configurations.

In some embodiments, the progressive game skin editor is furtheroperable to modify the presentation template in accordance withspecifications of the set of one or more devices.

In some embodiments, the progressive game skin editor is furtheroperable to generate different versions of the presentation template forcompatibility with different specifications of different ones of the setof one or more devices.

In some embodiments, instantiating the presentation template on the setof one or more devices comprises presenting the plurality of perceivableelements in accordance with the set of one or more configurations on theset of one or more devices.

In some embodiments, the progressive game skin editor is furtheroperable to determine status of a progressive game skin deployed on asecond set of one or more devices, and operable to configure individualones of the second set of one or more devices.

In some embodiments, a method comprises in response to determining thata first skin of a first game instance is to change, updating the firstskin with a set of perceivable elements; determining that a second gameinstance is associated with the first game instance; indicating the setof perceivable elements to the second game instance; and updating asecond skin of the second game instance with the set of perceivableelements.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first game instance and thesecond game instance comprises a portal game instance.

In some embodiments, said updating the first skin with the set ofperceivable elements comprises determining elements of a presentationtemplate that will change, wherein the presentation template correspondsto the first skin; loading the set of perceivable elements into thepresentation template; and instantiating the presentation template withthe set of perceivable elements.

In some embodiments, said indicating the set of perceivable elements tothe second game instance comprises invoking hook code with indicationsof the set of perceivable elements, wherein the hook code is invokedfrom the first game instance and the hook code is associated with thesecond game instance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the Figures of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a conceptual diagram of dynamic skinning of a progressivegame.

FIG. 2 depicts a conceptual diagram of an example progressive game skineditor.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of example operations for previewing aprogressive game skin.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of example operations for processing inputinto a progressive game skin editor.

FIG. 5 continues from FIG. 4 and depicts a flowchart of exampleoperations for processing target presentation device input.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of example operations for validating a mediafile type.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machinearchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network 800,according to example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a conceptual diagram of dynamic skinning in a portal gamescenario.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods,techniques, instruction sequences and computer program products thatembody techniques of the present inventive subject matter. However, itis understood that the described embodiments may be practiced withoutthese specific details. For instance, examples refer to a progressiveskin editor and a media controller as disparate. Embodiments canimplement the functionality for editing and dynamic deployment ofprogressive skins and the functionality for controlling devices topresent the skins in a single machine, as a single application, over adistributed system, etc. In other instances, well-known instructioninstances, protocols, structures and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obfuscate the description.

Presentation of progressive games can be enhanced by updating elementsof the presentation (e.g., visual elements, aural elements, etc.), thusincreasing interest/attraction. A wagering game establishment orwagering game developer can update the elements with a populartelevision show theme, a popular character, a movie promotion, etc. Thewagering game establishment and/or wagering game developer can alsoupdate the elements to track seasonal elements (e.g., holiday themes,election themes, etc.). An editing tool can efficiently create or modifya configurable presentation template for presenting perceivable elementsfor a progressive game (“progressive game skin”) and dynamically deploythe progressive game skin (“dynamically skinning”). The editing toolgenerates a progressive game skin and code for instantiating theprogressive game skin. The progressive skin indicates variousperceivable elements (e.g., visual elements, aural elements, etc.) andskin configurations (e.g., layout for perceivable elements, timing forpresenting perceivable elements, properties of perceivable elements,etc.). The progressive skin may also indicate target presentationdevices for presenting the perceivable elements indicated by theprogressive skin. The progressive skin editing tool provides theprogressive skin to a device that controls one or more devices that willpresent the perceivable element indicated by the progressive skin. Thecontrolling device (“media controller”) reads the progressive skin andcauses the one or more devices to present the indicated perceivableelements as indicated by the progressive skin (“instantiates theprogressive skin”).

FIG. 1 depicts a conceptual diagram of dynamic skinning of a progressivegame. In FIG. 1, a computer 101 hosts a progressive skin editor 103. Ata stage A, the progressive skin editor 103 generates a progressive gameskin and code for instantiating the progressive game skin. For example,the progressive skin editor 103 generates a progressive game skin basedon indications of a clover image, a font type for a jackpot meter,audio, and a title for the progressive wagering game. The progressiveskin indicates layout of the jackpot meter, clover, and title. Theprogressive skin also indicates conditions for playing the indicatedaudio.

At a stage B, the progressive skin editor 103 provides the progressivegame skin and instantiation code to a media controller 105. The mediacontroller 105 controls electronic signs 107, 109 and an audio system119. Examples of the progressive skin editor 103 providing theprogressive game skin and the instantiation code to the media controller105 include transmitting the progressive game skin and the code to themedia controller 105, transmitting a message that indicates a locationof the progressive game skin and the code, etc.

At a stage C, the media controller 105 processes the progressive gameskin to determine referentially embedded perceivable elements. In thisexample, the clover image, font data, and the audio have beenreferentially indicated or embedded in the progressive game skin (e.g.,network paths to the elements are indicated).

At a stage D, the media controller 105 obtains the clover image from aremote store 113, the font data from a remote store 115, and the audiofrom a remote store 117. The remote stores may be network drives, flashmemory, stores on server within a network of the media controller 105,stores accessible via the Internet, etc.

At a stage E, the media controller obtains a progressive game dataupdate from a central game controller 111 (e.g., current progressivejackpot amounts). The media controller 105 may have previously requestedthe data, may have previously received the data, may receive an updatewhenever a change occurs, may have a live feed of updates, etc.

At a stage F, the media controller 105 uses the instantiation code toinstantiate the progressive game skin on the audio system 119 and thesigns 107, 109. The media controller 105 interprets and/or executes thecode. The code causes the media controller 105 to provide theperceivable elements for presentation to the audio system 119, and thesigns 107, 109 in accordance with the progressive game skin. In thisexample, the media controller 105 causes the signs 107, 109 to displaythe title of the progressive game as “POT O' Luck Progressive” in a fonttype and size indicated by the progressive game skin. Similarly, themedia controller causes the signs 107, 109 to display the current amountof the largest of the progressive jackpots in a font size, font type,color, etc. indicated by the progressive game skin. The media controller105 also causes the audio system 119 to play different music files whencorresponding conditions (indicated by the progressive game skin) aremet. For instance, a first music file is played when the jackpot amountexceeds $200,000.

It should be realized from the example depicted by FIG. 1 that a varietyof skinning scenarios are possible with dynamic skinning. For example, aprogressive game skin can guide a media controller to coordinate audio,lighting, and displays for a Christmas holiday theme until midnight ofDecember 25^(th), and dynamically switch to a New Year's theme. Theprogressive game skins can be pushed concurrently to multiplepresentation devices, in an orchestrated order, serially, etc. Asanother example, a progressive game skin can be switched from licensedelements upon expiration of a license for those elements to newlylicensed elements. Furthermore, instantiating a progressive game skincan involve activating mechanical devices, sending communications (e.g.,sending text messages), activating lights, rotating visual elements overmultiple displays, and playing different audio on different audiosystems in a coordinated manner.

FIG. 2 depicts a conceptual diagram of an example progressive game skineditor. A progressive game skin editor 213 comprises an interface unit201, a presentation template generator 205, an instantiation codegenerator 207, and a preview unit 211.

The interface unit 201 provides a graphical user interface to receiveconfiguration input and indications of perceivable elements. Examples ofconfiguration input include properties of perceivable elements, layoutof visual elements, presentation device identifiers, presentation devicespecifications, and presentation conditions. Examples of perceivableelements include audio, video, an image, an animation sequence, font,and text. Examples of the indications of perceivable elements includefile names, paths to the elements, etc. The interface unit 201 passesthe input to the presentation template generator 205.

The presentation template generator 205 processes the input andgenerates a presentation template 203 based on the input. Thepresentation template generator 205 may also factor in administratorsettings, global configurations, etc.

The instantiation code generator 207 generates instantiation code 209based on the presentation template 203. Examples of the instantiationcode 209 include interpreted code, executable code, object code, etc.Additional input that can affect generation of the instantiation code209 include configuration input, such as presentation devicespecifications.

The preview unit 211 presents a preview instance of the presentationtemplate 203 using the instantiation code 209. For instance, the previewunit 211 interprets the instantiation code 209 to instantiate thepresentation template 203 on a device hosing the progressive game skineditor 213. The preview unit 211 may make adjustments to accommodatespecifications of the device hosting the progressive game skin editor213 (e.g., smaller screen, lower resolution, etc.).

A progressive game skin editor is not limited to the example depicted inFIG. 2. Embodiments can implement additional functionality in aprogressive game skin editor. For instance, a progressive game skineditor can be implemented with a configuration unit. The configurationunit can determine status of deployed progressive game skins. Forexample, the configuration unit can maintain a structure that trackswhat progressive game skins have been deployed and where. As anotherexample, the configuration unit can query media controllers and/orpresentation devices to determine status of progressive game skins. Theconfiguration unit can provide data for the interface unit to displaystate of the progressive game skins with thumbnails, text, snapshots,etc. The configuration unit can also establish a direct communication orcommunicate via a media controller to configure individual devices orsubsets of devices. A user can tweak configurations of individualdevices to customize or correct presentation of a progressive game skin.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of example operations for previewing aprogressive game skin. At block 301, instantiation code andconfiguration data of a progressive game skin are loaded.

At block 303, locally available perceivable elements indicated by theprogressive game skin are loaded. For example, elements on a local driveare loaded.

At block 305, it is determined if all perceivable elements are locallyavailable. For example, a progressive game skin editor determines if anyperceivable elements are indicated with paths that include networkaddresses. If all of the perceivable elements are locally available,then control flows to block 315. Otherwise, control flows to block 307.

At block 307, it is determined if the perceivable elements that are notlocally available can be obtained. If so, then control flows to block313. If the perceivable elements that are not locally available cannotor should not be obtained, then control flows to block 309. For example,some perceivable elements may be suspicious, not licensed yet, requireapproval to access sites beyond a firewall, etc.

At block 313, the perceivable elements that were not locally availableare obtained. For example, perceivable elements are obtained from onlinecommunities, stores that require authorization, from an externaldeveloper site, etc. Control flows from block 313 to block 315.

At block 315, a preview of the progressive game skin is presented.

At block 309, placeholders are used for the locally unavailableperceived elements and elements that have not been obtained. Examples ofplaceholders include mock images, default content, similar content, etc.that occupy a space or play at a time of an unavailable element.

At block 311, a preview of the progressive game skin is presented withthe placeholders.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of example operations for processing inputinto a progressive game skin editor. At block 401, input for aprogressive game skin is received.

At block 403, the type of input is determined. If the input isconfiguration input, then control flows to block 405. If the input isperceivable element input, then control flows to block 411. If the inputis target presentation device input, then control flows to FIG. 5.

At block 405, the configuration input is validated. For example, theconfiguration input is evaluated against conditional in light of currentconfigurations (e.g., size of a frame violates frame size restrictionsor intrudes into space occupied by an element).

At block 407, it is determined if the configuration input is valid. Ifthe configuration input is valid, then control flows to block 409. Ifthe configuration input is not valid, then control flows to block 417.

At block 409, the configuration input is applied to the progressive gameskin. For instance, configuration data is stored in a structure thatrepresents the progressive game skin and properties of elements are set.

At block 417, an invalidity notification is generated. The notificationcan inform the user of the particular violating configuration and cause.

If the input was determined to be perceivable element input at block403, then it is determined if the perceivable element input is literalor referential. For example, the input is exampled to determine if it isa path or graphical data. If the perceivable element input references aperceivable element, then control flows to block 415. If the perceivableelement input comprises literal perceivable element data, then controlflows to block 413.

At block 415, a reference to the perceivable element is indicated in theprogressive game skin. For example, a network path is embedded.

At block 413, the perceivable element is indicated in the progressivegame skin. For example, the literal data is embedded,

FIG. 5 continues from FIG. 4 and depicts a flowchart of exampleoperations for processing target presentation device input. At block501, a specification(s) for a target presentation device(s) is obtained.For example, a library of specifications is accessed based on a modelnumber of a presentation device.

At block 503, a copy of the progressive game skin is generated.

At block 505, the copy of the progressive game skin is modified toaccommodate the target presentation device(s) specification(s). Forexample, the progressive game skin is modified to accommodate a maximumresolution and sound encoding of a presentation device.

At block 507, it is determined if the modified copy of the progressivegame skin is valid. For example, it is determined if constraints definedfor the progressive game skin or defined by the editor are satisfied bythe modified copy of the progressive game skin. In another example, auser indicates whether a preview of the modified copy of the progressivegame skin is acceptable. If the modified copy of the progressive gameskin is not valid, then control flows to block 509. If the modified copyof the progressive game skin is valid, then control flows to block 511.

At block 509, an error notification is generated. The error notificationindicates that the progressive game skin is not compatible with thetarget presentation device(s). The notification can also indicateparticular incompatibilities with reference to the specification(s).

At block 511, the modified copy of the progressive game skin is storedas a progressive game skin for the target presentation device(s).Embodiments can also embed data representative of the modifications andindicating the target presentation device(s) in the original progressivegame skin. Hence, a single progressive game skin can carry informationto instantiate the progressive game skin on a variety of presentationdevices.

A variety of additional checks can be performed when editing aprogressing game skin. FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of example operationsfor validating a media file type. At block 601, a request to use a mediafile for a progressive game skin is detected.

At block 603 it is determined if the media file is of a supported filetype. If the media file is not of a supported type, then control flowsto block 609. If the file type is supported, then control flows to block605.

At block 609, an invalid file type error is displayed.

If the media file is of a supported type, then it is determined if themedia file conforms to size specifications of the progressive game skinat block 605. If the media file does not conform to size specifications,then control flows to block 610. If the media file conforms to the sizespecifications, then control flows to block 607.

At block 607, the media file is associated with the progressive gameskin.

If it was determined that the media file did not conform to sizespecifications at block 605, then an error indicating violation of thesize specification is displayed.

It should be understood that the depicted flowcharts are examples meantto aid in understanding embodiments and should not be used to limitembodiments or limit scope of the claims. Embodiments may performadditional operations, fewer operations, operations in a differentorder, operations in parallel, and some operations differently. Forinstance, referring to FIG. 3, additional operation can be performed foreach indicated perceivable element to determine whether the element canbe obtained or whether a substitute can be obtained. Additionaloperations can also be performed to preview a progressive game instancewith perceivable elements that cannot be presented by the device hostingthe progressive game skin editor (e.g., an animated sequencerepresenting lighting). With reference to FIG. 6, additional operationscan be performed to resolve an unsupported file type (e.g., downloadingdrivers, converting the file, etc.).

Additional operations can also be performed to apply dynamic skinning ina portal environment. A base game and a portal game (e.g., a mysteryprogressive game, a side game, secondary game, supplemental game, etc.)can be unidirectionally or bidirectionally “hooked” into each other toutilize perceivable elements of the other. For instance, a first set ofdynamic perceivable elements are defined for a base game and a secondset of dynamic perceivable elements are defined for a portal game. Thesesets of dynamic perceivable elements can change based on variousconditions, factors, variables, and/or criteria (e.g., changing season,changing licenses, etc.). The base game can hook into the second set ofperceivable elements while the portal game can hook into the first setof perceivable elements. Thus, the base game can rely on the second game(or code or configurations associated with the second game) for dynamicskinning that varies with the portal game while the portal game can relyon the base game (or code or configurations associated with the basegame) for dynamic skinning that varies with the base game. Furthermore,a perceivable element can traverse a base game and a portal game.

FIG. 9 depicts a conceptual diagram of dynamic skinning in a portal gamescenario. In FIG. 9, a base game instance 905 has been hooked into aportal game instance 903, and a portal game instance 907 has been hookedinto the base game instance 905. The portal game instance 903 isassociated with a display device 901. The base game instance 905 isassociated with a display of a wagering game machine 909. The portalgame instance 907 is associated with a portion of the display 915(“portal region”) of the wagering game machine 909.

At a stage A, the portal game instance 903 updates corresponding skin todepict a sponsor and a holiday theme on the display 901. For example, inresponse to a new sponsor (e.g., sponsorship can revolve), the portalgame instance can update tiles with a graphic licensed from the sponsorfor display on the display 901. In addition, the portal game instancecan update the background in accordance with a particular holiday andrun code for an animation of a holiday figure.

At stage B, the portal game instance invokes code and provides data forupdating skin of the base game instance 905 to depict the sponsor andthe holiday theme. To continue the above example, the portal gameinstance 903 can pass referential or literal elements for the licensedsymbol of the sponsor and elements of the holiday background to the basegame instance 905. The hook into the portal game instance or code thatcontrol skinning can determine that all dynamic skinning elements of theportal game instance 903 are inherited by the base game instance 905, orthat at least the portal game instance elements influence the base gameinstance 905.

At stage C, the base game instance 905 updates the base game skin toreflect the holiday theme and the sponsor. In this case, the base gameinstance 905 causes the display of the wagering game instance 909 todisplay tiles with the licensed graphics and the background inaccordance with the holiday theme.

At stage D, the base game instance 905 invokes code and provides datafor updating skin corresponding to the portal game instance 907. Theinvoked code and data allows for the portal game instance to depict theholiday theme. In this case, the portal game hook in the base gameinstance 905 (or dynamic skinning instantiation code) determines thatthe portal game instance 907 cannot have access or cannot displayelements licensed by the sponsor.

At stage E, the portal game instance 907 updates skin of the portalregion 915. The portal game instance 907 can update the skin of theportal region to be continuous or distinct from the base game displayregion. For example, a background can be continued from the base gamedisplay region or be distinct. The game instances can use a sprite thatinterleaves graphical elements between the games (“shim sprite”). Forexample, a visual dynamic skinning element can be drawn across the basegame and the portal game. As an example, holiday theme to be depictedcan include an animated holiday figure. The portal game instance and thebase game instance can utilize a shim sprite to depict the holidayfigure as moving uninterrupted across the base game region and theportal game region 915. As another example, graphical elements to depictsnowing can be drawn across the base and the portal game regions. A moredetailed description of a shim sprite can be found in U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/148,141, entitled “CONFIGURING AND CONTROLLING WAGERINGGAME COMPATIBILITY,” and naming as inventors Peter R. Anderson, MichaelJ. Irby, and Craig J. Sylla, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

Although the example illustrated in FIG. 9 refers to the game instancesas performing various operations, dynamic skinning operations can beperformed by other code/hardware. Embodiments can separate code thatcontrols presentation of perceivable elements (e.g., code that drawsgraphics onto a display) from an instance of a game. Operations fordynamic skinning can be performed by code that handles presentation ofperceivable elements separate from games instances, although thepresentation code can be associated with game instances.

Embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, asoftware embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that mayall generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or“system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the inventive subject matter maytake the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangiblemedium of expression having computer usable program code embodied in themedium. The described embodiments may be provided as a computer programproduct, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium havingstored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computersystem (or other electronic device(s)) to perform a process according toembodiments, whether presently described or not, since every conceivablevariation is not enumerated herein. A machine readable medium includesany mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g.,software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limitedto, magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storagemedium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory(ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g.,EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable forstoring electronic instructions. In addition, embodiments may beembodied in an electrical, optical, acoustical or other form ofpropagated signal (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digitalsignals, etc.), or wireline, wireless, or other communications medium.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the embodiments maybe written in any combination of one or more programming languages,including an object oriented programming language such as Java,Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on a user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN), a personal area network(PAN), or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

Wagering Game Machine Architectures

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game machinearchitecture, according to example embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 7, the wagering game machine architecture 700 includes awagering game machine 706, which includes a central processing unit(CPU) 726 connected to main memory 728. The CPU 726 can include anysuitable processor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, or UltraSPARC processor. The mainmemory 728 includes a wagering game unit 732 and a progressive game skineditor. In one embodiment, the wagering game unit 732 can presentwagering games, such as video poker, video black jack, video slots,video lottery, etc., in whole or part. The progressive game skin editor736 allows editing of a progressive game skin and previewing of aprogressive game skin. At the wagering game machine 700, a progressivegame skin can be edited and then previewed with resources of thewagering game machine 700 or on one or more devices near and/or coupledwith the wagering game machine 700. The progressive game skin editor 736can also deploy a progressive game skin from the wagering game machine700.

The CPU 726 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 722, whichcan include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+frontside busand a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 722 is connected to a payoutmechanism 708, primary display 710, secondary display 712, value inputdevice 714, player input device 716, information reader 718, and storageunit 730. The player input device 716 can include the value input device714 to the extent the player input device 716 is used to place wagers.The I/O bus 722 is also connected to an external system interface 724,which is connected to external systems 704 (e.g., wagering gamenetworks).

In one embodiment, the wagering game machine 706 can include additionalperipheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in FIG.7. For example, in one embodiment, the wagering game machine 706 caninclude multiple external system interfaces 724 and/or multiple CPUs726. In one embodiment, any of the components can be integrated orsubdivided.

Any component of the architecture 700 can include hardware, firmware,and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing theoperations described herein. Machine-readable media includes anymechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in aform readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer,etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media,optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readablemedia also includes any media suitable for transmitting software over anetwork.

While FIG. 7 describes an example wagering game machine architecture,this section continues with a discussion wagering game networks.

Wagering Game Networks

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a wagering game network 800,according to example embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8,the wagering game network 800 includes a plurality of casinos 812connected to a communications network 814.

Each casino 812 includes a local area network 816, which includes anaccess point 804, a wagering game server 806, and wagering game machines802. The access point 8304 provides wireless communication links 810 andwired communication links 808. The wired and wireless communicationlinks can employ any suitable connection technology, such as Bluetooth,802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks, SONET, etc. Insome embodiments, the wagering game server 806 can serve wagering gamesand distribute content to devices located in other casinos 812 or atother locations on the communications network 814.

The wagering game machines 802 described herein can take any suitableform, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile units, bartopmodels, workstation-type console models, etc. Further, the wagering gamemachines 802 can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wageringgames, or can include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones,personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc. In one embodiment,the wagering game network 800 can include other network devices, such asaccounting servers, wide area progressive servers, player trackingservers, and/or other devices suitable for use in connection withembodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, wagering game machines 802 and wagering gameservers 806 work together such that a wagering game machine 802 can beoperated as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. For example, one ormore elements of game play may be controlled by the wagering gamemachine 802 (client) or the wagering game server 806 (server). Game playelements can include executable game code, lookup tables, configurationfiles, game outcome, audio or visual representations of the game, gameassets or the like. In a thin-client example, the wagering game server806 can perform functions such as determining game outcome or managingassets, while the wagering game machine 802 can present a graphicalrepresentation of such outcome or asset modification to the user (e.g.,player). In a thick-client example, the wagering game machines 802 candetermine game outcomes and communicate the outcomes to the wageringgame server 806 for recording or managing a player's account.

In some embodiments, either the wagering game machines 802 (client) orthe wagering game server 806 can provide functionality that is notdirectly related to game play. For example, account transactions andaccount rules may be managed centrally (e.g., by the wagering gameserver 806) or locally (e.g., by the wagering game machine 802). Otherfunctionality not directly related to game play may include powermanagement, presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates,system quality or security checks, etc. In addition, the wagering gameserver 806 can provide functionality for any one of editing aprogressive game skin and dynamically skinning progressive games.

Any of the wagering game network components (e.g., the wagering gamemachines 802) can include hardware and machine-readable media includinginstructions for performing the operations described herein.

General

This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawingsand illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subjectmatter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventivesubject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Otherembodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, aslogical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to theexample embodiments described herein. Features of various embodimentsdescribed herein, however essential to the example embodiments in whichthey are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as awhole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, andapplication are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define theseexample embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore,limit embodiments of the invention, which are defined only by theappended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein arecontemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which isset forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a gaming system primarily dedicated to playing at least a first casino wagering game, the gaming system including a random element generator, electronic gaming controllers, and a gaming machine, the gaming machine including an electronic display device and an electronic input device, the method comprising: generating one or more random elements with the random element generator; receiving, responsive to a physical input to the electronic input device of the gaming machine, a wager input to initiate the first casino wagering game; determining, by a first of the electronic gaming controllers, an outcome of the first casino wagering game based at least in part, on the one or more random elements; displaying the outcome on the electronic display device; awarding, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, an award in response to the outcome meeting a predetermined award criterion; automatically determining, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, that a condition for changing a skin of the first casino wagering game is satisfied; in response to automatically determining that the condition for changing the skin of the first casino wagering game is satisfied, automatically updating, via the first of the electronic gaming controllers, the skin of the first casino wagering game with a set of one or more perceivable elements for display on the electronic display device; automatically determining, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, that a second casino wagering game is associated with the first casino wagering game, wherein the second casino wagering game is independent from the first casino wagering game; automatically indicating, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, the set of one or more perceivable elements to the second casino wagering game; and automatically updating, via a second of the electronic gaming controllers associated with the second casino wagering game, a skin of the second casino wagering game with the set of one or more perceivable elements for display on the electronic display device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically determining, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, that the second casino wagering game is associated with the first casino wagering game comprises automatically determining that a first one of the first casino wagering game and the second casino wagering game comprises a portal game and a second one of the first casino wagering game and the second casino wagering game comprises a base game.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically updating the skin of the first casino wagering game with the set of one or more perceivable elements comprises: determining elements of a presentation template that will change, wherein the presentation template corresponds to the skin of the first casino wagering game; loading the set of one or more perceivable elements into the presentation template; and instantiating the presentation template with the set of one or more perceivable elements.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically indicating the set of one or more perceivable elements to the second casino wagering game comprises: invoking hook code with indications of the set of one or more perceivable elements, wherein the hook code is invoked from the first casino wagering game and the hook code is associated with the second casino wagering game.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin of the first casino wagering game comprises data that indicates a layout for perceivable elements and a set of one or more visual elements for presentation in accordance with the layout.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data also indicates at least one aural element for the skin of the first casino wagering game.
 7. A computer program product for operating a gaming system primarily dedicated to playing at least a first casino wagering game, the gaming system including a random element generator, one or more electronic gaming controllers, and a gaming machine, the gaming machine including an electronic display device and an electronic input device, the computer program product comprising: a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having program code stored therein, the program code to: generate one or more random elements with the random element generator; receive, responsive to a physical input to the electronic input device of the gaming machine, a wager input to initiate the first casino wagering game; determine, by a first of the electronic gaming controllers, an outcome of the first casino wagering game based, at least in part, on the one or more random elements; display the outcome on the electronic display device of the gaming machine; award, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, an award in response to the outcome meeting a predetermined award criterion; automatically determine, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, that a condition for changing a skin of the first casino wagering game is satisfied; in response to a determination that the condition for changing the skin of the first casino wagering game is satisfied, update the skin of the first casino wagering game with a set of one or more perceivable elements for display on the electronic display device of the gaming machine; automatically determine, by the first casino wagering game, that a second casino wagering game is associated with the first casino wagering game, wherein the second casino wagering game is independent from the first casino wagering game; automatically indicate, by the first casino wagering game, the set of one or more perceivable elements to the second casino wagering game; and automatically update, via a second of the electronic gaming controllers associated with the second casino wagering game, a skin of the second casino wagering game with the set of one or more perceivable elements for display on the electronic display device of the gaming machine.
 8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the program code to automatically determine that the second casino wagering game is associated with the first casino wagering game comprises program code to automatically determine that a first one of the first casino wagering game and the second casino wagering game comprises a portal game and a second one of the first casino wagering game and the second casino wagering game comprises a base game.
 9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the program code to automatically update the skin of the first casino wagering game with the set of one or more perceivable elements comprises program code to: determine elements of a presentation template that will change, wherein the presentation template corresponds to the skin of the first casino wagering game; load the set of one or more perceivable elements into the presentation template; and instantiate the presentation template with the set of one or more perceivable elements.
 10. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the program code to automatically indicate the set of one or more perceivable elements to the second casino wagering game comprises program code to: invoke hook code with indications of the set of one or more perceivable elements, wherein the hook code is invoked from the first casino wagering game and the hook code is associated with the second casino wagering game.
 11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the skin of the first casino wagering game comprises data that indicates a layout for perceivable elements and a set of one or more visual elements for presentation in accordance with the layout.
 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the data also indicates at least one aural element for the skin of the first casino wagering game.
 13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the data also indicates the condition.
 14. A wagering game machine primarily dedicated to playing at least a first casino wagering game, the wagering game machine comprising: an electronic display device; an electronic input device; electronic gaming controllers including a random element generator, the random element generator configured to generate one or more random elements; a processor; and a machine-readable storage medium coupled with the processor, the machine-readable storage medium having program code stored therein, the program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to: generate the one or more random elements with the random element generator; receive, responsive to a physical input to the electronic input device of the wagering game machine, a wager input to initiate the first casino wagering game; determine, by a first of the electronic gaming controllers, an outcome of the first casino wagering game based, at least in part, on the one or more random elements; display the outcome on the electronic display device of the wagering game machine; award, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, an award in response to the outcome meeting a predetermined award criterion; automatically determine, by the first of the electronic gaming controllers, that a condition for changing a skin of the first casino wagering game is satisfied; in response to a determination that the condition for changing the skin of the first casino wagering game is satisfied, automatically update the skin of the first casino wagering game with a set of one or more perceivable elements for display on the electronic display device of the wagering game machine; automatically determine, by the first casino wagering game, that a second casino wagering game is associated with the first casino wagering game, wherein the second casino wagering game is independent from the first casino wagering game; automatically indicate, by the first casino wagering game, the set of one or more perceivable elements to the second casino wagering game; and automatically update, by a second of the electronic gaming controllers associated with the second casino wagering game, a skin of the second casino wagering game with the set of one or more perceivable elements for display on the electronic display device of the wagering game machine.
 15. The wagering game machine of claim 14, wherein the program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to automatically determine that the second casino wagering game is associated with the first casino wagering game comprises program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to automatically determine that a first one of the first casino wagering game and the second casino wagering game comprises a portal game and a second one of the first casino wagering game and the second casino wagering game comprises a base game.
 16. The wagering game machine of claim 14, wherein the program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to automatically update the skin of the first casino wagering game with the set of one or more perceivable elements for display at least on the electronic display device comprises program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to: automatically determine elements of a presentation template that will change, wherein the presentation template corresponds to the skin of the first casino wagering game; load the set of one or more perceivable elements into the presentation template; and instantiate the presentation template with the set of one or more perceivable elements.
 17. The wagering game machine of claim 14, wherein the program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to automatically indicate the set of one or more perceivable elements to the second casino wagering game comprises program code executable by the processor to cause the wagering game machine to: invoke hook code with indications of the set of one or more perceivable elements, wherein the hook code is invoked from the first casino wagering game and the hook code is associated with the second casino wagering game.
 18. The wagering game machine of claim 14, wherein the skin of the first casino wagering game comprises data that indicates a layout for perceivable elements and a set of one or more visual elements for presentation in accordance with the layout.
 19. The wagering game machine of claim 18, wherein the data also indicates at least one aural element for the skin of the first casino wagering game.
 20. The wagering game machine of claim 19, wherein the data also indicates the condition. 